Cancer Cell International (Sep 2021)

RETRACTED ARTICLE: LncRNA LBX2-AS1 promotes colorectal cancer progression and 5-fluorouracil resistance

  • Yu-Nan Ma,
  • Yong-Gang Hong,
  • Guan-Yu Yu,
  • Si-yuan Jiang,
  • Bo-lun Zhao,
  • An Guo,
  • Yao Wang,
  • Xiao-ming Cui,
  • Li-Qiang Hao,
  • Hao Zheng

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12935-021-02209-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 21, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Abstract Background Recent reports suggest that the long non-coding RNA LBX2 antisense RNA 1 (LBX2-AS1) acts as an important regulator in cancer progression, but its significance in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains undetermined. Methods LBX2-AS1 expression levels in CRC were determined from the GEPIA database and CRC tissues to investigate clinical relevance. meRIP-PCR assays investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of m6A in LBX2-AS1. Loss of function experiments was used to define the role of LBX2-AS1 in the progression of CRC. The ceRNA function of LBX2-AS1 was evaluated by RNA immunoprecipitation. In vitro and PDX models were used to determine if LBX2-AS1 promotes 5-fluorouracil resistance. Results Data from the TCGA and our institutional patient cohorts established that LBX2-AS1 levels were significantly upregulated in most CRC tissues relative to normal adjacent colon tissues. Moreover, LBX2-AS1 levels were positively correlated with aggressive disease characteristics, constituting an independent prognostic indicator of overall patient survival. Mechanistic investigations suggested that the increased LBX2-AS1 in CRC was mediated by METTL3-dependent m6A methylation. In vitro experiments indicated that knockdown of LBX2-AS1 inhibited CRC proliferation, migration and invasion with this phenotype linked to LBX2-AS1-mediated regulation of AKT1, acting as a ceRNA to sponge miR-422a. Ex vivo analysis of patient-derived CRC xenografts showed that low LBX2-AS1 expression cases exhibited 5-FU responsiveness and clinical investigations confirmed that low LBX2-AS1 expression was associated with improved clinical benefits from 5-FU therapy. Conclusions Together these results suggest that LBX2-AS1 may serve as a therapeutic target and predictor of 5-FU benefit in CRC patients.

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